Door-operating mechanism



June 12, 1928.

E. T. PEARSONS DOOR OPERATING MECHANISM Filed April 5, 1926 4Sheets-Sheet l a 7G, Inn Mr! 7 W4 47' r0 aws y June 12, 1928.

E. T. PEARSONS DOOR OPERATING MECHANISM Filed April 5, 1926 4Sheets-Sheet 2 HN 63 NN @BH Mm llvllunl June 12, 1928.

E. T. PEARSONS DOOR OPERATING MECHANISM Filed April 5, 1926 4Sheets-Sheet 3 Jun 12, 1928. 1,673,201

E. T. PEARSONS DOOR OPERATING MECHANISM Filed April 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet4 I N VEN TOR.

WJW V,BY

ATTORNEY.

Patented June 12, 1928.

UNITED "STATES 1,673,291 PATENT QEF L ZLE- ERNEST T. PEARSONS, OFCLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNQR TO THE BAKER-RA ULANG- eoMPAnY, or" CLEVELAND.oriro, AfofoR'ronA'rIoN' or onto;-

DOOR-OPERATING MECHANISM.

Application filed April 5, 1926. ,Serial No. 98,980.

the opposite'side thereof to facilitate the 'movement: of the,passengers past the operative either in entering or leaving the vehicleand for other reasons.

One object of the invention isto provide improved and relatively simpleoperating and controlling mechanisms for a door permitting the latter tobe disposed at any point in the vehicle body remotefrom the operativesposition while insuring easy and positive operation of swinging the doorin either directionand latching and unlatching it by the operative.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide animproved door latchingand unlatching mechanism in which provision is made .7501 preventingthelatc-hing of the door exce tb v operation of the handle or otheroperating device, thereby preventing the complete closing and latchingot' the door from outside of the vehicle.

Another object of the invention is to construct a vehicle in which thedoor and the operating devices are separated from each other and toconnect the door and operating devices by an improved mechanism ofrelatively simple construct ion and capable of b ing incorporated in thewalls of the vehicle in a; ready manner, whereby braces,

operating links or levers within the vehicle are a oided and increasedspace results.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved dooroperating and latching mechanism in which is provided a nornriillretracted latch and an operating element interposed in the operatingconnections whereby the latch is first operated in the opening movementof the-door to effect release thereof from its keeper and isoperated atthe end of-the closing movement oi the door-"to efiect the latching ofthe latch behind its'lreeper.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart to which myinvention relates from theiollowing description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, wherein. i

Fig. l is a fragmentary View of a vehicle, partly in plan and partly insection.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section of the vehicle wall, enlarged, andshowing the con trolling devices and a portion of the operatingmechanism with portions thereof in section.-

,Fig 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig.

Fig. a is a section on the line,l4 of ,Fig. 5 is a section on the line55 01' Fi i V i I I i Fig. 6 is asection on the line 66 of Fig. 2. 5

- F ig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional View showing the door in closedposition, door latch in latching position, a portion oi the operatingmechanisn'r and the latch control lingmeans. I i

Figs. 8 and 9 are sections on the lines 8 8 and, 9+9, respectively,ofFig. 7.

Fig. 10 is at'raementary view of the vehicle side wall adjacent the'door, looking toward the 'right ot F 7 Y Fig. 11 is a fragmentarysectional View of the parts shown inF 7, but showing the position ofthe. latch and the controlling means theretor, either at the time, the,latch ls operatedto release thejdoor to openit or at thetime the door isclosed but before these means are operated to position the latch behinditskeeper. v

'Fig. 12 is atragmentary section similar to Fig. 7, butflsh owingthcdoor open.

Figi 13 a section on the line 13.13 of Fig. 12. i i i I ig. l l is asection onthe line l4-14t of Fig. 12. l

'In.the drawings, 1 indicates a vehicle, preferably of the bus type. Thevehicle may be of any standard or special rot-in of construction, orsimilar to thatdisc losed in the co-pending application filed by EdwardJ. Stahl on December 5, 192"; Serf No. v 73,433, see Letters Patent; No.1,6292%. The'v'ehicle comprises a body'l mounted on suitable wheels (notshown) andjtlie' necessary equipment and inechanisn'is for pa v pellingand steering it'in a well knownmanner. The body 1 is preferably theclosed type, having a floor; 1*, side wal1s-1",a' frame 1 forming'acontinuation of th'eside" walls forward end of the flooring and adjacentthe left side wall of the body l, as is customary in vehicles of thistype, and the door 6 being disposed in the right side wall thereof andtoward the rear.

However, it will be understood that the door 6 may be arranged at anydesired point remote from the operatives seat. I The door 6 ispreferably hinged along that side edge thereof nearest the operative, tosimplify the operating mechanism and its connection therewith, suitablehinges 6 being provided between such edge and the adjacent portion .ofthe sidewall 1 and a suitable keeper 7 being provided in the side wall 1adjacent the free side edge of the door 6, whereby the latch 8, which'ispreferably mounted to slide endwise on the door, will latch the doorclosed or release it, whereby the door may be opened.

9 indicates acasting fashioned to provide a base 10 having wings 10'which are suitably secured to the bar 1 (preferably to the right of theoperatives seat B and the steering wheel C), a bracket 11 and a casingmember 12in spaced relation to the bracket 11. The casing member 12 isprovided with a flange 13 to which the flange 14 of a casing member 15is removably secured by screws 16. and 15 and the bracket 11 are formedwith aligned openings 12, 15 and 11 respectively, and the walls of theopenings 11 and i 15 are screw threaded to receive screw threaded plugs11", 15, respectively. The plugs 11*, 15 serve as bearing elements for.a shaft 16. By preference, I form in the inner ends of the plugs 11,15", and opposite ends of the shaft 16 substantially semisphericalrecesses or sockets 17 and interpose between each shaft end and theinner end of the adjacent plug arelatively large ball 18, wherebyfriction in the bearings is reduced; the recesses being so disposed thatthe centers of the balls will be in alignment with the axis of the shaft16. Each plug '11", 15 is provided'with a kerf 19, whereby it may beengaged by a suitable tool and rotated, the effect of which operationwill be i to move the plug endwise and adjust the adjacent bearing. Byproviding .screw plugs as mountings for both ends of the shaft 16,

they may be operated to raise or lower the The walls of the casingmembers 12' shaft to any desired position. As shown in the drawings(Fig. 3), the casing member 15 is provided. with a hollow boss 20 theopening in whichreceives the plug 15".

As shown in Fig. 3, the casing members 12, 15, are (1) shaped to form achamber 10 to receive and enclose a power element, pref erably asprocket 20, which is suitably keyed to the shaft- 16 and is preferablysupported thereby in spaced relation to the inner walls of'the casingmembers; and (2) secured together in a liquid tight manner so that asuitable lubricant may be placed in the chamber 10, if desired. Thepurpose of the sprocket will later appear.

21 indicates a crank having a hub 21 fitting between the casing member12 and bracket 11, and suitably keyed to the shaft 16.

The outer portion of the crank is. hollowed out to enclose a plunger 22;and the inner portion adjacent the hub 21' may be offset- (as shown at21 toposition the plunger in the plane of the bracket 11, whereby theplunger 22 may engage recesses (to be later referred to) formed thereinto control the movement and positioning of the crank 21; the off-set 21is formed with an opening 21 which serves, as a guide for the outerportion of the plunger 22. Rearwardly of the off-set 21 the plunger 22.has an enlarged portion 22 the purpose of which is (1) to form ashoulder to abut the inner wall of the off-set 21 and thus limit theinward movement of the plunger and (2) provide an abutment for the innerend of a compression spring 23 which normally tends to move the plungerinwardly; the outer end of the spring engages a pair of spaced lugs 23disposed at either side of the plunger 22. The Outer end of the plunger22 carries a. lug 24 to which is pivoted a crank arm 25 on the lower endof a shaft 26, rotatably mounted in a suitable bearing 27. The bearing27 is formed in tip-standing integral walls 28 at the outer end of thecrank 21. The upper end of the shaft 26 forms a handle 26'- for theoperative to grasp, whereby the shaft 26 may be rotated, such operationserving to retract the plunger 22 against the tension of the spring 23.The handle 26 is provided witha collar 28 engaging the upper end of thebearing 27 and cooperating with a nut 29 screw threaded on the lowerportion of the shaft and engaging the lower portion of the bearing 27 tohold the shaft therein against endwise movement. The crank arm 25 isalso preferably threaded on the lower end of the shaft 26 and locked inposition by a nut 30. To permit of the swinging movement of the crank25, the plunger 22 is formed in sections and these sections arepivotedvtogether by a pin 22 (see Fig. 3).

31, 31, indicate recesses formed in the side wall of the bracket 11, theformer recess be ingpositioned to receive th'e'inner free end of theplunger 22' when the crank 21 is moved to the position to completelyopen the door 6' through an operating mechanism, indicated as anentirety at 32, and the latter recessbeing positioned to receive thefree end'of the, plunger 22 when the crank 21 moved to the position tocompletely close the door and cause the latch 8 to en'- gage or beprojected behind the keeper 7. Intermediate the recesses 31, 31, theside wall of the bracket 11 is formed With a slot 33 to receive the freeend of the plunger 22 and the end Wall of'the slot 33 adjacent therecess 31 forms a stop 33-which limitsfthe movement of'ihe crank'2l and-he'nce"p'revents the door 6 from being completely closed, so that itcannot be closed from the outside of the body 1 orin anymannerexcept bythe retraction of the plunger'22 and further movement of the crank 21.

Of the operating mechanism 32, 34 indicates a thrust member preferably.comprisingaflexible section 35,'adapted to conform and accommodateitself to the straight and curvilinear Walls constituting the bodyWalls-1 1, a reciprocating bar 36 slidably supported infthe'wall 1adjacent the door 6 and connected at its-inner end to the flexiblesection--35 anda link 37 pivotally connected at its inner end to theouter end of the bar 36-and-meansj, indicated as an entirety at 38 forcontrolling the latch 8. The controlling means 38 are connected tothe'outer end of the link 37 and-operated by the crank 21 and the thrustmember 34' in the manner to be later set forth. The inner end of theflexible member 35=terminates in a sprocket. chain, which is arranged toengage With and be operated by the sprocket 20, By preference, theentire length-of the flexible section 35 is madeupof a single section ofsprocket cha'in,'-such construction simplifying the assembly" andconstruction of the flexible member and its guide'39 and providing foranti-friction bearings on the flexible member for-rolling engagementWiththe Walls of the guide 39;

As Will be understood, the sprocket chain comprises sidebars connectedby pi-ntles and rotatable sleeves 353surrounding the latter,whichsleeve's slide between or roll on spaced guide surfaces 39 providedWithin the guide'39'." As' will be noted in the drawings, the'guidesurfaces 39 are spaced apart sufficiently to receive between them thesleeves andto guide them'through the channel, Withoutfpermittingbuckling of the chain links or vibration thereof to cause rattling Theguide 39 comprises a pair of related bars or strips 39, 39, Which areshaped or-bent'to conform to the front and side vvalls ofthe'body, beingpreferably secured to'the bars 1?. 1" (see Figs. and 6) The inner strip39' may be secured to the bars and the outer strip/then secured toit, asshown in Fig. 5. The in n' erop posingavails of the strips 39 arechannelc'd to form the guide surfaces 39 and grooves 39 at either sidethereof to provideample space for the moveinent of'the sidebars of thechain links Without rubbing engagement with the strips. The inner end ofthe guide 39 is connected to the casting in any suitable manner and itsguide channel with" a similarly shaped channel formedin a sleeve40"extending tangentially ot, the pitch circle of the sprocl'ret'andmerging into the chamber 10, whereby the chain is gui'ded' to and fromthe sprocket 20 Without danger of it buckling. As will be understoodfrom Figs. 2 'antl"3, theside walls of the chamber 10" are disposed'relatively close and conce'ntric'to the freeends' the sprocket teeth,sothatth'e chain ismaint ained in operative rltition'to the"sp'i'ocl-:et2-0" when the latter is rotated ineitlier direction bythe crank 2l. l he-sle eve lt) fits'ivithin an p-enrngei formediirthe'thickened Walls of the casing member s ie; 15' (see'Fig. l-).Atfits'o'ut'cr end,'--the"chain35 is'p'ivotally connected to the slidebar '36, which is shapedin cross secslidably fit the channel between thestrips 39; A portion of the outer strip 39", extending inwardly from itsouterendiscut away, as shown at 42, in the pla neof the link 37,'sothafltlie'latter is] free to "swing inwardly to the position shoii'nin 'l' 'and 11, Whichposition it occupies when-the door 6 iscl0sed.

the latchcontrolling means 38," l3indicates ayrojd' threaded at itsouter end into ascreW threaded opeiiing4 l forn'id in'the innerendbfjtliedat'ch 8 and locked in their adjusted relation by anut l5f Theinner en'dbf the rod screw threaded into the outer end i of'a tubularmental-4c, the inner end ofwhich terminates in a lug or knuckle (see 'llig'. The knuckle t? is pivoted to one end of a rocket 48', truunioneclat' l-8 between the upper and loiver Walls of a casing' 49 Thecasing-49m secured 'to the inner side of" the door 6 and'preferablyextends to the free side edge thereof to en close' the"tubularm'e'iiiber 4-6, rod 43 "and inneri'portion of tliejllatch 8'01." asuitable guide 8"tlierefor. The opposite end of the rocker '{l ;8fispivotal'ly connected to the outer end of the linkBT; 50 indicates 'anangle plate fixed to the inner side Wall of the casing d Qj'thelateralflange of the plate being bifurcated and straddling' the rod 43toforn r an"abutment 50. 51 indicates a coiled spring surrounding the rodl3 and interposed,- between the abutn'ient 50? and I a u-asliei f52'sealed hgainst .tlie oiiter end of thetulmlarmeniber {it The purpose ofthe spring filjis to act on the tubiilai" member 4.6 and tln'ongli itand? the rod43 to normally hold the latch in "retracted position,

lit)

' erably strong enough to move thelatch 8 to the position shown in andthe rod 13 connected thereto, and operating mechanism 32 and crank 21 tothe position shown in Fig. 11, unless these parts are held by theoperative, so that upon the rotation of the handle 26 to release theplunger 22 from the recess 31, the spring 51 will move the rod 13inwardly and it in turn will swing the rocker 18 to the position shownin Fig. 11. By imparting to the spring sutlicient strength to operatethese parts, it will insure immediate release of the latch 8 from thekeeper 7 upon the disengagement of the plunger 22 from the bracket 11.

Operation: Figs. 1 and 7 show the position of the parts when the door 6is closed and latched. In this position the plunger 22 is projected intothe recess 31, which locks the shaft 16 and sprocket 20 againstmovement, and the latch 8 is locked behind the keeper 7. If now thehandle 26 1S rotated clockwise, the plunger 22 will be moved out of therecess 31 whereupon the spring 51 will move the latch 8 inwardly to Fig.11; then move ment of the handle 26 and crank 21 to the position shownin dotted lines in Fig. 1 and full lines in Fig. 2, will swing the door6 to its full open position, in which position the plunger 22 projectsinto the recess 31 and locks the door against movement. Release of theplunger 22 and movement of the crank 21 in the opposite direction willclose the'door 6. As hereinbefore set forth the door will become closedsee Fig. 11) when the plunger 22 engages the stop 33, but since thespring 51 is strong enough to prevent relative movement. of theoperating parts, and outward movement of the latch 8, the latter remainsin its retracted position during the operation of the crank 21 to close.the door. To latch the door 6, it is necessary to swing the crank 21 afurther distance, to thereby rock the rocker 48, overcome the tension ofthe spring 51 and push the latch 8 behind the keeper 7 In moving thecrank 21 to effect this movement last mentioned, the plunger 22 isbrought into registry with the recess 31 and then projected therein, theeffect of which will be to lock the latch 8 in latching position.

lt will be noted that the plunger 22 and recesses 31, 31, constitute atrigger mechanism to retain the door 6 locked or fully open. Byproviding additional recesses, the door can be locked in anyintermediate position.

It will be noted that if the swinging of the door to closed position isresisted, by

lack of lubrication in the hinges 6 or by reason of the factthat thevehicle .is standing on an inclined surface, the resistance so set upwill overcome the tension of the therein.

' indicates a plunger spring 51 and accordingly the pull on the thrustmember will operate to compress the spring and project the latchoutwardly, and the latter will thereby engage the outer surface of thebody and .prevent the door from being closed. To prevent this conditionand operation, I have provided an automatic lock and release means(indicated as an entirety at 52) for the latch 8, whereby it is normallylocked in its retracted position following the opening of thedoor 6 andit remains locked until the door approaches its closed position, whenthe latch is released to permit the operating means and thrust member toproject it. into engagement with the keeper 7. Accordingly, by theprovision of the lock and release means the pull on the door to close itis transmitted therethrough to the door instead of the spring whichretracts the latch. Of the lock and release means 52, 53 indicates acollar adjustably fixed to the tubular member 16. 54 indicates a framemounted on the door 6 within a chamber 6 formed 55 indicates a flatspring secured atone end to the inner wall of the frame and carryingnear its free end alug 56 adapted to engage the collar 53 to lock itagainst movement. outwardly due to the operation of the crank 21 andthrust member f 32 when they are'operated to close the door 6. Thecollar 53 and lug 56 are so disposed that when the latch 8- is retractedunder the influence of the spring 51, the

collar 53 will ride the inclined side face of the lug 56 and come torest behind its end wall, whereupon the lug 5 1 will return to itsnormal position in the path of movement of the collar and thus lock itand through it and the rod 43, lock the latch in retracted position. Thefree end of the spring 55 is bent laterally-to form an inclined surface,the purpose of which will later appear. 57 slidably mounted in alignedopenings formed in lugs 58, which are provided on the frame 5 1. Theplunger is made in sections 57 57", threaded together wherebyitslengthcan be adjusted. The section 57 is provided with a flangeorannular shoulder, so that (1) a coiled spring 59 interposed, between theinner lug .58 and said flange normally operates to press the plungerendwise and (2) the flange may engage the outer lug 58 to limit themovement of the plunger 57 under the influence of the spring 59. Asshown, the plunger is normally arranged to project beyond the inner sideedge of the door, which position it occupies when the door 6 is open(see Fig. 12), but when the door is closed, the plunger 57 is in effectpushed inward due to its eiigageii'ient with the body side wall 1" (seeFig. 7). At its inner end, the plunger 57 carries a wedge 60 disposed inthe path of movement of the inclined wall on the free lSO end of thespring 55. Accordingly, as the door moves toward its closed position,the wedge 6O will engage the spring 55 and swing it laterally (see Fig.This movement moves the locking lug .56 out. of its locking position andreleases the collar 53, so that the rod 43 andlatc'h '8 are free to 'be'actuated outwardly.

Fig. 7 shows the door closed, with the latch '8 in latching position. Ifthe handle 26 and crank :21'a're operated to 'open the door, the plunger57 I will slide outwardly and the latch will slide inwardly. In thismovement of the latch, the collar 53 will move to a position 'behind'thelug 56 see Fig. 11).

In thelclosing movement of the door, these parts will remain in thislocked relation until the door 6 approaches its closed position,whereupon the plunger will 'be arrested by its engagement with the sidewall 1, so that in-the further or continued movement ofthe door thespring 55 will be "engaged by'the wedge '60 and moved to release the lug56 from the collar 53; then following the complete closing of the door6, the operation-oi thrust member will project the latch 8 outwardly,against the tension of the spring 51, into position behind the keeper 7,as already set forth.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the latch is lockedin its retracted positionand such locking provides in effect a positiveconnection between the thrust and pull member 32 and door 6, whereby thelat-' ter may be closed irrespective of the resistanceto such operationdue to any cause whatsoever that may at any time exist; but that as thedoor approaches its closed position, the lock is released to permit thefree actuation of the'la tch.

To those skilled in the art to which my invention relates, many changesin construction and widely differing embodiments and applicationsthereof will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. My disclosures and the description herein arepurely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

lVhat I claim is:

1. In a vehicle, the combination with a body having a door, a keeper onthe body and a movable latch on the door, of means for normallymaintaining said latch in a retracted position, and mechanism foroperating said door to open or closed position, said mechanism includingrelatively movable elements arranged to project said latch behind saidkeeper following the closing of the door.

2. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 in which said relatively movableelements operate to disengage the latch from the keeper before efiectingopening of the door,

3. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 in which a locking means is providedto lock t'he operating mechanism and through itloCk saidlatchinengagement with said keeper.

4:. Tlie'combination with a "vehicle pro vided with a 'wallhavingan"opening,'a door for closing said opening,'-a keeper carried by saidwall adjacent said opening and a latch slidably mounted on said door,01' means acting on :said latch to normally maintain it out of en aement with said keeper, a rocker pivoted o'n said door and havingone endconnected tothe inner end-oi said latch, and an operatingmechanismconnected to the other end of said rocker and arranged to operate thelatter and through said rocker to effect disengagement of-said latchfrom said keeper through these elements to move said door to openposition.

5. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of asupporthaving a bracket and a casing member disposed in spacedrelation, aseparate casing member 'jconiiected to said first mentioned casing"'n'iemb'er to form a chamber, the walls 'ofsai-d casing members and saidbracket be'ing formed with aligned openings, bearing elements positionedin the openings formed in said bracket and said separate casing member,a shaft extending th'r'ough'the opening in the first mentioned ca-singmember and engaging said ,eleinents, a driven element within saidchamber and'conn'ected to said shaft, and a driving element between saidbracket and said first'mentioned casing member and connected to saidshaft;

6. A mechanism as claimedin claim 5 in which said bearing elements arescrew threaded into their respective supporting openings.

7 A mechanism as claimed in claim 5 in which a ball is positionedbetween the inner end of one o t said bearing elements and the adjacentend of said shaft with its center in line with the axis of the latterand their ends are formed with recesses to partially receive said ball.i

8. A mechanism as claimed in claim 5" in which the driving elementconsists of a crank having. an oft-set to position its outer portion inthe plane of said bracket, and a trigger mechanism having interengagingelements carried by said crank and said bracket.

9. In a vehicle, the combination with a body having a door, of anoperating device supported by the body at a point remote from said door,and an operating mechanism between said device and said door, saidmechanism including a rotatable element connected to said device, aflexible thrust member operatively connected to the door at its outerend and adapted to Wind on and off said rotatable elementat its innerend, and a guide for said member having 0p and operating liJO posedwalls, with which the intermediate portionsof said member engage.

10. A vehicle as claimed in claim 9 in Which t-he rotatable elementcomprises a sprocket and the flexible member consists of a sprocketchain having pintles that slidably engage the opposed walls of saidguide.

7 11. A vehicle as claimed in claim 9 in which the lrotatable elementcomprises a sprocket and the flexible member consists of a chain and theguide for the latter is shaped to engage only the opposite sides of thepintles for the chain links.

12. In a vehicle. the combination with a body having a door, of anoperating device supported at a point remote from said door,

and an operating mechanism between said device and said door, saidmechanism com prising a rotatable element operated by said device, aflexible member arranged to wind on and oii said element at one end, aslid able bar connected to the other end of said flexible member, aguide coextensive with maybe transmitted endwise, through said flexiblemember, anda linkage between said bar and said door.

13. In a vehicle, the combination with a body havinga door in onewall'thereof, of

an operating device supported adjacent another wall of said body, awinding element connected to said device, a continuous guide carried bythe walls ofsaid body and conforming to the shape thereof andleading'from said element *to a. point adjacent said door, aflexiblemember arranged to wind on and oflsaid elementat one end and slidablyfitting and extending through said guide, whereby the power of saidwinding element may be transmitted endwise through said flexible memberwhen it is reciprocated in said guide, and a connection between theopposite end of said flexible member and'saiddoor.

1 1. A vehicle as claimed in claim 9 in.

' which the rotatable element comprises a guide comprises spaced guidesurfaces arranged to engage the oppositesides of said sleeves andthrough them guide said chain endwise. l

15. In a vehicle, the combination with a body having a door, of anoperating device supported on said body at a point remote from saiddoor, a flexible member operatively connected to said door and saiddevice and arranged to be moved endwise by the latter as a thrust andpull element to open and close said door, and a guide having opposedwalls engaging intermediate portions of saidflexible member.

16. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 in which means are provided forautomatically locking said latch in retracted position when the doorswings open and for releasing it from the locking elements when the doormoves into closed position.

17. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 in which means, dependent upon theposition of the door, automatically locks the latch in retractedposition and release the same for projection. behind its keeper. 7

18. A vehicle as claimed in 'claim 1 in which said door is provided witha catch serving to engage said latch to lock it in retracted positionand a spring pressed plunger normally disposed in operative relation tosaid catch and in position to engage the body when the .door is closed,

whereby the closing of the door will operate said plunger and effect arelease of the catch from said latch.

19. In a vehicle, the combination with a body having a door and akeeper, of a normally retracted latch, slidably mounted on the door,means for locking said latch in retracted position, means for operatingsaid door to open and closed positions, and means for releasing saidlocking means as the door approaches its closed position, said operatingmeans being operatively con nected to said latch whereby it may be movedinto engagement withsaid keeper.

subscribed my name.

ERNEST T. PEARSONS.

